“You know where your room is,” Jahleel says. “The suite in white at the end of the hall, the bridal suite.”
“Since you’ve now publicly declared that you are my brother-in-law, I thought you newlyweds would need it. Georgie’s blue room is sufficient.”
“We have a nicely situated arrangement, and the white room has a big seating area for a small nursery or crib.” Jahleel finishes the last drop of his tea. The cup makes a clink as he rests it upon a gold-rimmed saucer. “That suite is yours forever. All of you must be in and out of Anya House. This is your second home.”
“Yes, it must be.” I look at Scarlett. “Because I think we shall give the Carews the Ground Street house. They must turn it into a hospital. I think our parents would approve.”
Georgie nods. “I think that’s perfect. Medical care needs to be on that side of the Thames.” That’s all she can get out before Mark carries her into the hall.
Stephen looks overwhelmed. “We’ve been looking for a place for one, but things have been chaotic. What do you say, Madame Carew?”
“I say we accept. It already has a garden. Herbs are part of our treatments. They’re not a cure yet, but they give hope.”
“Sometimes hope is enough.” Jahleel’s warm glance at Scarlett declares his pride and thankfulness.
Beaming, she tows Stephen to his feet. “Thank you, new brother, old sis. Husband, let’s let the newlyweds—or newly acknowledgedcouple—finish their evening. We should go to the library.”
“You mean our pink room.”
She shakes her head. “I thought you’d want to help me pick our next book to read. You like the way I read in our pink room.”
He takes her hand and loops it into his arm. “Good night, all.”
Their laughter echoes as they enter the hall.
I go to Jahleel. “Guess it’s time to retire and to check on Lydia again.”
“You said she was a little upset but good?”
I’ve been to her room twice since things calmed. “She was happy you sent the mean man to prison. Your mother kept her calm. The two are very close. I hope she intends to stay.”
“Mamen’ka might. She’s already figured out that Lydia’s and my chances of good health are greatly improved here in London with the Carews. But you, my clever girl, had already figured that out. Well played.”
I link hands with him and feel a tremor. The strain of this night has taken a physical toll on Jahleel.
But I’ve learned to wait for him to tell me. I won’t coddle the man; the strategist who has now fixed everything will tell me what he needs. “I’ve picked up a few things from you. Unwillingly, of course.”
“Of course, Katherine.”
“And then there’s my father. He taught me a lot of things. I hope he’s happy with me selling half the company.”
“Like I said, he told me at that chapel door when I saw my dreams dying that, above everything, he wanted you and all his daughters happy. If you’re happy, then he has his wish.”
Watching him set the board, positioning the king and queen pieces, I’m happy. And right now, I feel almost free.
All the pieces of Jahleel’s jade set stand in formation. “Now the men are reset.”
I rise from my chair and catch his gaze, but his countenance remains lowered. “We should go check on our daughter. I must apologize to her and you. There’s no excuse for you to have witnessed violence.”
Resting my arm on the chairback, I slip my hand to his neck. “You’re very tense in this spot. Is this a knot?”
Relaxing to my touch, he slouches. Our gazes connect and stay that way until I reach down and slide the mutton-white jade pawn from square E2 to E4.
He glances at what I’ve done. “Starting a new game?”
“We need to finish the old one. You’ve made a few public declarations. You also dated paperwork that goes against said declarations. Last I checked, I offered to be your lifetime mistress. You’ve put my side in check announcing me as the Duchess of Torrance.”
“You are right. We need to talk, but after we say good night to Lydia.” His rise feels slow, almost pained. “Let’s go see our daughter.”
